The coach of the Nigeria Police athletics team, Assistant Superintendent (ASP), Solomon Aliyu on Tuesday described the performance of the team as excellent for the first timers.
ASP Aliyu made the remarks during the arrival of Team Nigeria Police to the just-concluded World Police Games in the United States of America at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
The team won five gold, four silver and two bronze medals.
He heaped praise on the athletes for performing above expectations.
Aliyu who doubles as the technical coordinator for the entire Team in Los Angeles commended the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris for re-branding the force adding that the move to invest in sports is bringing back the lost glory of Police sports.
“Their performances was excellent, for first timers at the world Police Games and all coming back home with medals of all colours”.
“You cannot but say it was an EXCELLENT performance from the Nigeria Police athletes, coaches and officials” ASP Aliyu told ACLSports.com in a chat.
He further revealed that the Nigeria Police Team is scouting for young talented and trainable athletes for recruitment into the force.
“The Inspector General of Police (IGP) as part of his agenda to re-brand the police has also deemed it fit to bring back the lost glory of sports not just athletics but sports in general.”
“Part of it is the World Police Games participation of the Nigeria police Team. We are also scouting for young talented and trainable athletes for recruitment into the force to give them the platform to excel”, He said.
ASP Aliyu said Sergeant Noa Nehikhare (boxing), Corporal Martins Ogierikhi (mens’ 110m hurdles), Yeiyah Yellow (swimming) and Goodness Thomas, who competed in the women’s 100m and 200m events, won the five gold medals.
The silver medallists are Martins Ogierikhi (men’s 400m), Inspector Abaham Onyemelusi (wrestling) and Inspector Oluwatoyin Oladeji, who competed in boxing.
Inspector Ralph Ubah (Judo) and Sergeant Selubo Ekundayo were responsible for the two bronze medals.